Amends the Public University Energy Conservation Act. Provides that "energy conservation measure" includes construction of a new building or facility that is designed to reduce energy consumption or operating costs.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an employee or member is eligible for continuing coverage under a group insurance policy for up to 18 months (instead of 9 months) after the date the employee's or member's insurance under the policy would have terminated because of termination of employment or membership or reduction in employment hours. Provides that the employer must give written notice of the employee's option to elect continuation coverage to the employee within 10 days after the employee's termination or reduction in hours and to the insurer. Provides that an employee or member who wishes continuation of coverage must make the request in writing within a 30-day (instead of ten-day) period. Provides that in the event the employer fails or refuses to provide notice of continuation rights to the employee or member, the insurer is required to mail notice of the continuation rights to the employee or member at the employee's last known address. Provides that any employer who fails to provide the notice required by the Act is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined $500. Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act to incorporate the written notice, penalty, and condition of termination provisions as they relate to continuation of group HMO coverage after termination of employment or membership. Effective immediately.
Urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to work with compact fluorescent lamp manufacturers, retailers, utilities, and state and local governments to expand opportunities to recycle compact fluorescent lamps. Urges the Federal Trade Commission to strengthen its labeling requirements for compact fluorescent lamp packaging.
Encourages the Governor's Office of Management and Budget to utilize the funds available due to the increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, also known as FMAP, along with funds available in the Health and Human Services Medicaid Trust Fund and funds available in the Community Mental Health Medicaid Trust Fund to maintain appropriation levels supporting current community care provided by mental health and substance misuse treatment community providers and increase funding to pay the State's obligations in a timely fashion.
Designates September 15th as Carbon Day in the State of Illinois. Urges individuals, organizations, schools, and communities to play a part in reducing the State's carbon footprint by planting trees on that day and organizing special programs to educate the State's citizens on steps that can be taken to reduce carbon emissions.
Congratulates Karolyn Rubin on the occasion of her election to the position of 2009-2010 President of ACA International, The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals.
Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that the owner or keeper of a dog is liable to a person for all damages caused by the dog pursuing, chasing, worrying, wounding, injuring, or killing any sheep, goats, cattle, horses, mules, poultry, ratites, swine, or companion animals (now, there is no liability for damages caused to companion animals). Defines "companion animal" as a dog or cat that is treated as a pet. Effective immediately.
Urges the General Assembly to consider environmental issues when crafting a capital construction bill.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions granting an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Banking Act, the Illinois Savings and Loan Act of 1985, the Savings Bank Act, the Illinois Credit Union Act, and the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987. Defines "Secretary" as the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation, or a person authorized by the Secretary or by the Acts to act in the Secretary's stead and changes some provisions to reference the Secretary instead of the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate or the Director of Financial Institutions. Allows the Secretary to adopt emergency and general rules to adjust regulatory rates in some Acts and decreases regulatory fees in other Acts. Provides that (1) the specified sum shall be transferred from the Bank and Trust Company Fund, the Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund, and the Credit Union Fund to the General Revenue Fund on the effective date of the amendatory Act; (2) the Governor may, during any fiscal year through January 10, 2011, from time to time direct the State Treasurer and Comptroller to transfer a specified sum not exceeding 10% of the revenues to be deposited into the Bank and Trust Company Fund during that fiscal year from that Fund to the General Revenue Fund in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year; and (3) the total sum transferred during any fiscal year through January 10, 2011, from the Bank and Trust Company Fund to the General Revenue Fund pursuant to the State Finance Act or any other law shall not exceed during any fiscal year 10% of the revenues to be deposited into the Bank and Trust Company Fund during that fiscal year. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
